GB171716A - Improvements in jigs for use in electrically welding the parts of automobile bodies - Google Patents

Abstract

171,716. Ledwinka, J. May 20, 1920. Road vehicles.-Parts of sheet-metal automobile bodies are assembled and clamped in a jig carrying stationary electric conductors against which the work bears and which co-operate either directly or indirectly through span contactors with conductor bars pivotally mounted in the jig. The shroud or cowl d, Figs. 4 and 6, is supported on an end frame 14 provided with stops 15, and also together with a door post by side standards 16 with its lower flanged edges 19 resting on extensions 18 from the standards. Current is supplied from one terminal of a transformer secondary to conductor bars 20 in the side standards, which are arranged at a sufficient distance outside of and below the work to facilitate assembling of the parts. The other terminal of the transformer secondary is connected to conductor bars 22 which are connected to conductors bar 25 carried by arms pivoted on shafts 23. These arms are each clamped in position by a nut 27 on an eyebolt 28 pivoted on a shaft 29. To effect welding of each flange 19 to a longitudinal sill 26 a conductor bar or contactor is used to span the space between the conductor 20 and the parts to be welded. Stops 31 arranged to engage the flanged end of the cowl are clamped in position by screws 33. The side panels b, Figs. 9 and 10, are secured by clamps 42 to a pair of central standards 35 connected to the standards 16 by bars 34 provided with conductors 36. In welding the flange 37 to the body sill 38, the narts are clamped on the conductor 36 by a pivoted bar 39 pressed down by a band-operated strap 41, welding being performed by an electrode carried by a flexible conductor. In welding the side panels to the front seat panel and the posts between the front and rear door openings, the parts are clamped by conductor bars 45 carried by pivoted gates 44 fixed in position by clamp rods 47 and nuts 48, and welding is performed by electrodes 70 carried by flexible conductors. Similar apparatus may be used to weld the end flange on the cowl to the front door posts. The tonneau parts a are secured by clamps 42<1> to a pair of standards 50, Fig. 8, which are pivoted at 51 and held in closed position by pivoted straps 53 and screws 54. A second transformer has its secondary terminals connected respectively to conductors 57 and to rocking frames 60 carrying conductors 58 for welding the flanges 62 to body sills 61 or conductors 59 for welding otherwise inaccessible parts. The standard 50 may be provided with gauge pins. The tonneau may also be welded to the rear post of the rear door by apparatus similar to that described with reference to Fig. 10. Flexible conductors carrying electrodes 70 may be tapped off any convenient point in the circuit of the transformer. For effecting welds at ordinarily inaccessible points a conductor levers such as 74, Fig. 12, may be used to span the space between conductors bars 75, 76. Spacer gauges for the parts constituting opposite sides of the body may be provided.